Sustainable Development (BA) - Environmental Studies

About

The Sustainable Development (BA) - Environmental Studies degree at Appalachian State University introduces students to innovative modes of interdisciplinary scholarship in this field; fosters leadership in sustainability and effective environmental citizenship; promotes ecological literacy; and provides students with the opportunity to self-design a concentration that matches their interests and career goals.

The BA degree has self-designed focus and skills areas. It requires foreign language courses and a minor. This is one of four degree options in the Department of Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University. The others are Sustainable Development (BS) - Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development (BS) - Community, Regional and Global Development, Sustainable Development (BS) - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture.

After Graduation

Employment: Graduates work across a broad spectrum of sustainability-oriented careers, including environmental public policy, sustainability education, watershed conservation, agritourism, park service, and non-profits. See a list of employers in the right column.

Graduate school: Other students pursue graduate study in a variety of programs, including international development, political science, history, environmental law, food systems, sustainable tourism, wildlife management, urban planning, and the ministry.

Between her freshman and senior years, Allie Garrett grew from thinking sustainability was just another word for recycling to winning a Z. Smith Reynolds Fellowship to work with grants related to the environment.

Courses

Core courses include:

Principles of Sustainable Development

Science for Sustainability

Environmental Justice & Sustainability/Environmental Ethics

Environmental Ethics

Principles of Agroecology

Classics in Sustainable Development

Senior Seminar

This degree also requires 18 semester hours in the environmental studies core, plus a minor.

The Department of Sustainable Development works with a number of community outreach projects, from the Civic Gardening Project to its Sustainable Farming Resource Center and a farm-to-school support network.

Contacts

The Goodnight Family Sustainable Development (SD) Department is the oldest sustainable development program in the country. Established in 1991, it allows students to explore concepts from social and natural sciences, as well as the humanities. It has multiple degree options, a large teaching and research farm offering student residency, and opportunities for community involvement.

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of academic departments including Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.

The College of Fine and Applied Arts is characterized by the educational approach of integrating theory and practice, offering students the knowledge and experience for continued education or employment. Programs within the College feature opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, international experiences and interdisciplinary engagement. The College emphasizes undergraduate teaching, while being active in grants and sponsored research. The College of Fine and Applied Arts provides a vibrant educational atmosphere, fostering the very best in teaching and learning.

Community Service:

Our students and faculty find unique ways to bring community service into the learning experience through experiences such as campus and community workshops, after-school programs for area school children, and work with local non-profits.

Industry and Community Involvement:

All departments are highly involved with their industry counterparts and seek opportunities to work with community partners. In addition, each department has an advisory board of industry professionals that assist in program development, internships, job placement and fundraising.

International Education:

The College of Fine and Applied Arts wants all students to have the opportunity for international learning experiences and has offered programs in: